Hiking in the snow

[mikecain3]

I usually go backpacking around May 15th each year. At that time of year we can find trips that offer many features and a lot of the snow has melted. This year I would like to go earlier. Like around April 23rd. Seems like snowpack would be equal to or higher than norm. So I'm wondering what it is like to hike through the snow. Would snowshoes be appropriate? Other than going slower and avoiding trials with exposure what else would be different? Once you get certain destinations I would think you could find areas to camp that are clear of snow, true?

Let's say for example that I wanted to park at Badger pass and go back to Ostrander and then Buena Vista. (I know people ski back there but that is not my goal.) Would this be feasable in late April? Would it be enjoyable?

[bill-e-g]

Maybe a picture will help:

This is Buena Vista Crest on April 13th of 2009:



GP road may be COMPLETELY closed at that time. I think they
completely close it while they are in the process of plowing.
I wouldn't expect the road to open before May 1. It used to open
much later but there has been an big effort to open the road earlier.

Anyway.... at Ostrander elevation you should expect nearly 100%
snow coverage into May.
As long as it hasn't snowed very recently (very uncommon then)
you will not need snowshoes even though you would be
walking on the snow. You may posthole some but the snow
is very consolidated at that time.

Here's Granite Lake in Kings Canyon on MAY 31st of last year
just to give you an idea of what you can camp on.




Give it a try... you can always turn around...
Have fun

[AlmostThere]

Bill, if you take me I'll go camping in the snow. Just so I can meet Chick-on.

I do think you would have fun at Ostrander even if there is snow - but some people do not like snow camping. Ostrander is around 8500 elevation, so yep, there's gonna be snow. Even tho the ski hut closes the first week of April.

[bill-e-g]

A couple of things... if there's a lot of snow you def. should take a
map and compass and/or GPS and know how to use them.
Route and trail finding skills are more important then...
Don't count on following your footsteps in the snow unless it's the
same day...

The one I tell is maybe 5 or 6 years ago I was coming down from
Harden towards Smith Meadow in full snow coverage and ended up
walking in a circle... saw footprints in the snow and said
"hmm... there's another bozo out here besides me..."

knowing which direction your heading is the most important...

Almost, chick-on keeps squawking "you should buy a hammock,
they look so much fun!".